Pamela Hammond

Pam Hammond, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend  went  home to Jesus on January 20, 2018. The world is a poorer place without Pam.

Pamela Jean Hammond was born on June 19, 1954 in Dubuque , Iowa to Reverend Gene and Dolores Tjarks. She has two sisters,  Mary Tjarks and Kathy Fitch (Bob); and one brother, Brian Tjarks (Susan).

Pam’s family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1961. Her father was the pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Pam attended Washington Elementary School and O’Leary Junior High. While a senior at Twin Falls High School she met Dale Hammond, her future husband. Pam and Dale were married on April 21, 1973. They attended the University of Idaho in Moscow with their son David, who was born that same year. In 1977 they returned to the Twin Falls area settling in Kimberly. In 1978 their daughter Christine was born. Pam wanted to be at home so she could raise her two children. She had an in-home day care business for 35 years where she used her gift of nurturing. During those busy years of work and raising a family, Pam also used her gift of service at the Kimberly Christian Church helping in many areas but especially enjoyed working with the children's programs. She also helped and supported Dale in his teaching at Valley High School, his computer work at the school, and his work at the Lazy J. Pam was the reason for any success Dale had in his work.

Pam loved sewing, cross-stitch, making quilts, cooking, loving on her family, and shopping with her sisters and mother. She enjoyed  trips every year to visit her family in South Dakota.

In 2003 a paradigm shift happened in Pam’s life; she became a grandmother. Her daughter Christine blessed Pam with granddaughter Elizabeth in 2003 and granddaughter Lilly in 2004. Being a grandparent is where Pam used her greatest gift-“grandmothering”. She loved her granddaughters with a passion. She was involved in every aspect of their lives from swimming to cheering for them at sporting and rodeo events, helping in their school classrooms to playing with them.

In 2014 Pam retired from her Day Care business and started working as a Paraprofessional in the Valley School District. Pam excelled at her work with the students. Last year she started working with high school students to help them graduate. She was a skilled and caring teacher who had a positive impact on her students. Pam taught until Christmas break 2017 but was unable to return after break due to progression of her cancer. She passed peacefully into her Savior’s arms surrounded by her family.

The Hammond and Tjarks families would like to thank St Luke’s Hospital, MSTI, and all the nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers who cared for Pam. They were amazing.

A Celebration Service will be held Sunday, January 28, 2018, 2:00PM at Valley High School, 882 Valley Road, Hazelton, Idaho, 83335. Mom's Facebook memorial page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Pamela-Hammond-Memorial-Page-194471687958637/

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Pam's name be sent to Mountain States Tumor Institute, ATTN: Carol Springer, 725 Pole Line Road West, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Pam's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.